Dr. Jeffries on the Skeleton of an Ourang Outang. 189 
The articulation of the femur with the acetabulum is almost 
exactly like man’s; the neck of this bone forms about the same 
angle. In quadrupeds, this forms a distinguishing character- 
istic, being in them nearly a right angle; the inspection of this 
joint is alone sufficient to satisfy the naturalist of at least the fa. 
cility, ifnot the natural disposition of the Satyrus to walk erect. 
The femur is eight and a half inches in length and two 
inches round; the trochanters and condyles are cartilaginous 
and prominent. 
The patella is one round piece like that of man; it is but 
little ossified in this individual; the tendon connecting it to 
the tibia is strong. The knee joint has the semilunar carti- 
Jages and is connected by the crucial and lateral ligaments as 
in man. The tibia is seven and three quarters inches long, 
and two inches round at the upper part. 
The fibula is seven and a half inches long, and an inch and 
a quarter round; the extremities of both bones of the leg are 
cartilaginous. 
The ankle joint is formed like man’s. 
The tarsus consists of seven bones like the human; these 
are mostly cartilaginous, and admit of free motion one upon 
another. 
The os calcis is broad, and sufficiently projects behind to 
support the erect posture. The metatarsus consists of four 
bones; for what answers to the great toe is a perfect thumb of 
two joints, but not on the range of the other toes; indeed the 
whole foot, except the os calcis, much more resembles a hand 
than a human foot, the phalanges being longer and consisting 
of bones similar to the hand. 
From the structure which has been thus cursorily described, 
I shall note those peculiarities which will enable us to form an 
opinion of the natural mode of his walking. 
First. Going on all fours, he would find inconvenience from 
the elbow joint; for when the hand is placed upon the ground 
flat, the flexion of the joint would be contrary to that of qua- 
drupeds, by bending back towards the body instead of for- 
wards, which would rather impede, than assist progression. 
It is not however as difficult for the Satyrus to turn the joint 
forwards, as it would be for man, on account of the curvature 
of the bones of the fore arm, and the free motion which ex- 
isted in all the joints. 
The roundness of the chest, and the scapulz setting so far 
back, would make it difficult for him to bear weight upon his 
hands; quadrupeds have the chest flat and the scapule far 
forward upon the ribs. 
The 
